L E T T E R S

417A very profitable teaching position is available here: all the comforts ofhome, and a yearly salary of 2,000 francs, more or less. It is in a French home,with the family of Mr. Bonoiste, once a French peer. Because of their confidencein our moral and religious character, they are seeking an educated Pole to teachtheir fourteen year old boy. They want someone who can teach Latin, Greek andGerman; but, especially, someone who can give proper, religious direction to thewhole of the educational process. One half of the year they live in Paris, and otherhalf they live in the country, in the departament de la Nievre. They allow for onemonth vacation, and all the evenings are free. They also have younger children,and so it would be possible to retain that position for as long as you like. Theypromise to treat you completely as ―a friend of the house and a member of thefamily.‖ The father himself is supposed to be a very educated and affable person.The position can be assumed immediately, that is, as quickly as possible. Thewhole matter is being handled by Mr. and Mrs. Ogiński, who are my good friends,and to whom I presented your name as a prospect.Your decision is required as soon as possible! I ask you, then: Do youaccept, or do you not accept? Answer immediately, the same day you get thisletter. They are anxiously waiting for an answer, and I promised that one would begiven very quickly.If you think that you can accept, I will try to provide all the detailspossible, an I will support your application to the time when you begin tocorrespond directly with the people.Because I am in a hurry, and because I lack the time, I will not relate anyof the news as regards political doctrines, or the daily happenings of the Poles inParis. I leave that for later, and conclude this letter.N.B. It may occur to you to ask: If this position is so great, why didn’t Iaccept it myself? First, because I think you fit the position better than I do;secondly, thanks be to God my upkeep and livelihood are covered at present. I amtutoring the Giedroyć boy, who is attending College here; and I also have anothertutoring job that is not too bad. I have been able to sell some of my articles to